Kuppet teachers in Murang’a cry foul over halted elections

Murang'a Kuppet branch chairperson aspirant Suleiman Salim and other aspirants addressing journalists in Murang'a town/ ALICE WAITHERA

Aspirants for various positions in the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers Murang’a branch have called for the elections to proceed as scheduled today, despite a court order halting the polls.

The teachers said the conservatory order issued on January 9, had caused frustration and uncertainty among candidates and voters, warning that the delay undermines confidence in union leadership and the democratic process.

Branch chairperson aspirant Suleiman Salim condemned the suspension, saying it denies teachers an opportunity to participate in union democracy.

“Stopping these elections is denying us our democratic right. We want the polls to go on as scheduled,” Salim said, adding that they intend to move to court to seek the lifting of the order.

Another chairperson aspirant, Dominic Gitau, said the postponement had demoralised teachers who had invested time and resources in campaigns and reorganised their professional and personal commitments in preparation for the vote.

“We have sacrificed our time and prepared adequately, yet our elections have been stopped while other counties have already concluded theirs,” Gitau said.

Gitau questioned the motive behind the court action, alleging it was aimed at disrupting unity within the union and sabotaging the process.

Aspirant Polycarp Muriithi also faulted the suspension, describing it as a setback to the growing recognition of junior secondary school teachers.

He called for greater autonomy for JSS within the union, arguing that their distinct role requires independent representation.

“Junior secondary schools must be treated as a distinct entity with their own representation. All JSS teachers should be included in the election register as eligible voters,” Muriithi said.

An aspirant representing persons with disabilities, Stellah Gakii, said the postponement had caused financial and emotional strain on candidates who had spent resources campaigning in anticipation of the polls on January 18.

“We have used a lot of our resources in good faith. Postponing the elections is unfair to us and disrupts our professional responsibilities as teachers,” she said.

Meanwhile, assistant executive secretary aspirant Michael Murigi said he respects the authority of the court but raised concerns over the conduct of the election process.

In a statement, Murigi said the postponement presents an opportunity to address issues including the alleged transfer of about 1,500 teachers to agency status, which he claims denied them the right to vote, a lack of transparency in the nomination process, and the failure to publish a final list of candidates as required under the Kuppet constitution.

He also cited concerns over the choice of a distant and inadequately equipped election venue, as well as the absence of an official voters’ register for verification by the County Labour Office.

Murigi proposed a joint meeting involving the Kuppet national office, the County Labour Officer, the branch executive secretary, the petitioner Davis Nyamweya and all aspirants to seek a consensus on the way forward and ensure free, fair and inclusive elections.

Nyamweya filed a suit on January 7, before the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nyeri, challenging the preparations for the elections. Justice Agnes Nzei issued the conservatory orders on January 9.

Murigi said the matter is scheduled for hearing on January 20, when the court is expected to give directions.

“I urge teachers to remain calm as we await official communication from Kuppet headquarters and the court,” he said.

The aspirants said resolving the impasse quickly would restore confidence and unity within the union and allow teachers to return to their core duties and union activities.